With harvest season getting underway across Illinois, National Farm Safety and Health Week is serving as a reminder for farmers and motorists alike to slow down, stay alert and make safety a priority.
The week of recognition, running from September 21 through 25 and recognized since 1944, works to raise awareness about the safety and health of people working in agriculture. This year’s theme is “Safety Today, Success Tomorrow,” and includes a focus on equipment and roadway safety, health and wellness, cancer prevention, confined spaces, and other risks commonly faced in agriculture.
Harvest is one of the busiest times of year for Illinois farmers, with long days, heavy equipment and more farm vehicles traveling on rural roads. Drivers are encouraged to watch for slow-moving equipment, avoid passing unless it is safe to do so and give farmers plenty of room on the roadway.
Farmers are also encouraged to take extra precautions around machinery, grain bins and other dangerous areas, while keeping fatigue and overall health in mind while working the fields.
More information and farm safety resources are available through the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety.
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